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Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation
Published in: Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation 1/2004

Open Access 01-12-2004 | Research

The economic impact of chronic fatigue syndrome

Authors: Kenneth J Reynolds, Suzanne D Vernon, Ellen Bouchery, William C Reeves

Published in: Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation | Issue 1/2004

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Abstract

Background

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a chronic incapacitating illness that affects between 400,000 and 800,000 Americans. Despite the disabling nature of this illness, scant research has addressed the economic impact of CFS either on those affected or on the national economy.

Methods

We used microsimulation methods to analyze data from a surveillance study of CFS in Wichita, Kansas, and derive estimates of productivity losses due to CFS.

Results

We estimated a 37% decline in household productivity and a 54% reduction in labor force productivity among people with CFS. The annual total value of lost productivity in the United States was $9.1 billion, which represents about $20,000 per person with CFS or approximately one-half of the household and labor force productivity of the average person with this syndrome.

Conclusion

Lost productivity due to CFS was substantial both on an individual basis and relative to national estimates for other major illnesses. CFS resulted in a national productivity loss comparable to such losses from diseases of the digestive, immune and nervous systems, and from skin disorders. The extent of the burden indicates that continued research to determine the cause and potential therapies for CFS could provide substantial benefit both for individual patients and for the nation.
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Metadata
Title
The economic impact of chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors
Kenneth J Reynolds
Suzanne D Vernon
Ellen Bouchery
William C Reeves
Publication date
01-12-2004
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 1478-7547
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-7547-2-4